New Zealand international James Franklin’s time with Nottinghamshire has come to an end, as he joins up with the Barbados Tridents for the Champions League T20 tournament.
Franklin joined Nottinghamshire initially to play white-ball cricket, but represented the county in all formats following Peter Siddle’s premature return to Australia, and the Kiwi admitted he wished that he could have offered more during his Trent Bridge tenure.
“I would have liked to make a bigger impact but overall I’ve really enjoyed the experience, it’s a really good side to play for,” he said.
“In my time with Notts I’ve played in a quarter-final in the T20, we’ve made the semis in the One-Day Cup and we’re still challenging for the four-day title.
“It’s great being in a really dominant team in English cricket and hopefully the boys can close off the season well in these last two Championship games and give yorksire a good run for their money until the bitter end.”
Franklin has proven international pedigree, representing New Zealand 179 times across all formats. With Nottinghamshire he was employed as a pinch hitter with the ability to bowl, but many Outlaws fans will remember his contribution at the end of Notts’ T20 group-stage match at Headingley most fondly – his quick fire 19 from six balls helping to secure their place in the competition’s quarter-finals.
Despite Notts’ disappointment in these knockout stages, Franklin is confident that they can go on and dominate county cricket in years to come.
“There’s a strong group of individual cricketers in this dressing room,” he said. There are a lot of guys who have been involved in the England setup be it the u19s, the lions or the senior side.
“There are a lot of terrific performers. That’s why this team is always there or thereabouts in all formats.
“Obviously there’s disappointment in that we didn’t get past the knockout games to reach the finals we could have but I’d much rather be playing in those games to try and reach finals than not having them at all.
“The signs are good that this Nottinghamshire team can be a dominant one in years to come.”
Franklin’s departure from Trent Bridge will see him cross the globe once more, after a brief stop with family in New Zealand, he will play for the Barbados Tridents in the Champions League T20 in India. However, he hasn’t ruled out a Nottinghamshire return in the coming seasons.
“I get to go home for five or six days, which they’re happy about, but from there its straight back on a plane back to India to play for a team I’ve never played with before,” he said.
“It’s going to be interesting and I’m looking forward to getting over there and playing T20 in India, there’s a great buzz about it.
“Mick will have his plans for what he wants to do next season and beyond, and I’d love to be part of that.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming to England and playing cricket for various teams so whether its with Notts or another team, I still feel lie I have a few more years of cricket in me and I’d love to come back.”